# Viral Play Purposely bizarre board game concepts capture the attention of teen consumers. By [Courtney Scharf](https://www.trendhunter.com/Courtney), Chief Client Officer | Published May 16, 2017 | Category: [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/pop-culture-and-internet-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/divergent-gaming ## Key Figures - Trend score: 2.1/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Viral Play trend? **Viral Play:** The accessibility of resources like Kickstarter have made the toy market a crowded one. In response to this, both larger companies as well as more entrepreneurial teams are releasing board games focused around highly unusual concepts more likely to go viral than their more traditional counterparts. This appeals to consumers in search of more unique products to reflect their individualism, while tapping into a sense of nostalgia via analog play. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Feb 17 to May 30, 2017 - Published: May 16, 2017 - Patterns: [Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/reduction), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Instant Entrepreneurship](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/instant-entrepreneurship), [Tribalism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/tribalism), [Many to Many](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/many-to-many) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha, Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Themes within the Viral Play trend ### Unusual concept board games Growing popularity of board games with unprecedented concept that encourages consumer unique identity expression ### Gesture-based card games The emergence of gesture-based card games that bring excitement to traditional card games ### Bribery-based card games The growth of cards game that leverage on human emotional responses and makes it fun to play ## What the Viral Play trend means for industry ### For Board game industry The board gaming industry has seen remarkable growth recently which has led to increased innovation in game design fueled by Kickstarter and other crowdfunding platforms ### For Toy industry The development of unusual and creative toy products that provide consumers new and exciting options for analog play ### For Card game industry The card game industry constantly evolves to satisfy consumers' need for new and exciting games that leverage modern technology and design ## Workshop question What is an aspect of your brand or product that has the most potential to go viral? ## Trend signals for Viral Play Trend score 2.1 out of 10, from popularity 33%, activity 22%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 33% - Activity: 22% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Viral Play trend 6 featured examples from Feb 17 to May 30, 2017. - [Zombie Domination Board Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/party-board-game): The 'Zombie Tsunami' Party Board Game Has Players Form Undead Hordes (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: There is an opportunity for the board game industry to capitalize on the growing demand for unique party games and zombie-themed games. - [Swine-Collecting Card Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/game-of-cards): The 'Sad Piggies' Game of Cards Has Players Collect Dead Pigs (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Opportunity for the gaming industry to create new card games with innovative themes and gameplay mechanics. - [Gesture-Based Card Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/happy-salmon): 'Happy Salmon' is a Quirky, Fast-Paced Game of Fist Bumps and High-Fives (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: This trend presents an opportunity for game developers to create innovative gesture-based games and capitalize on the demand for interactive gaming experiences. - [Stinky Family-Friendly Board Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/who-tooted): YouTubers Jake and Ty Demonstrate How to Play 'Who Tooted?' (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Opportunity for toy and game companies to develop and market family-friendly board games. - [Beard-Growing Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/family-game): 'Big Beard Battle' is an Action-Packed Family Game Around Facial Hair (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The board game industry can capitalize on the trend of facial hair games by creating and marketing innovative games that revolve around facial hair while incorporating creative ga… - [Bribery-Based Card Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fun-card-game): 'Pricetitution' is a Fun Card Game That Says "Everyone Has a Price" (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Opportunity for game developers to create unique and engaging card games that foster social interaction and emotional exploration. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Pop Culture - [MIami Pop-Culture Shirts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miami-pop-culture-shirts) - [Makeup Artist Jewelry Collaborations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pandora-x-pat-mcgrath) - [Influencer-Curated Cafe Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kit-keenan) - [Pop-Culture WiFi Routers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-culture-wifi-routers) All articles: [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture)